Taxation  The federal government is swimming in cash, and there is absolutely no reason to increase income taxes on hard-working Canadians. That is the fact. The minister will agree because in his own quotes he has said that income tax cuts “have been most effective in creating jobs”, “boost productivity growth”, “put money right back into people's pockets”, letting them “spend the money as they see fit”.

Resumption of debate on Address in Reply  Even after billions of dollars were wasted, mismanaged or vanished, still billions remain in the surpluses through overtaxation. Hard-working Canadians deserve a break. They are working longer, paying more and saving less. Canadians are fed up with being overtaxed. We agree with that. That is why we need to deliver broad-based tax relief for all Canadians and we will do so by starting with the GST.

Taxation  What is so terribly important in the Conservative agenda to justify increasing the personal income taxes paid by hard-working Canadians?

Address in Reply  In response to the member's question specifically, under the previous government the GST burden on ordinary, hard-working Canadians doubled from $15.9 billion to $31.8 billion. Canadians want some of their hard earned money back.

Conservative Party of Canada  While the government has been completely preoccupied with power, Canadians have seen their hard-earned tax dollars spent on vote buying. Hard-working Canadians who pay their taxes and play by the rules want a new government, one that will put the interests of Canadians first. This election will provide Canadians with a chance to tell the Liberals that they have had enough, that they are tired of being forgotten, and that it is finally their turn.

Intergenerational Transfer of Farms  When hon. members of the House consider that all measures in support of farmers, whether tax measures or spending programs, are paid for with tax dollars of other hard-working Canadians, I am sure they will recognize that not every measure can be supported. I am also sure that when hon. members consider these comprehensive programs that I have just described and consider as well the existing tax measures and loan support programs, which I did not have the opportunity to describe in detail today, it will be clear to them that adding new tax and program measures to the generous support that is already available to Canadian farmers is not something that the House should endorse at this time.

Supply  It is time to end the culture of corruption. It is time to end the gross misuse of the money of taxpayers and hard-working Canadians. That is what a Conservative Party will do under the leadership of the hon. member for Calgary Southwest. That is what a Conservative Party will do in realigning and recalibrating the priorities of government with those of Canadians.

Supply  According to former Canadian trade negotiator Bill Dymond, Canada has become essentially marginalized. It took 12 years of Liberal government to destroy what hard-working Canadians have achieved in almost 150 years. It is time to stand up for Canada. That means it is time for a Conservative government. The Liberal government has been in power for over 12 years.

Income Trusts  This has destroyed the savings of seniors, pension funds and some teachers' funds, the funds of ordinary Canadians saving for retirement. The minister does not seem to care at all about seniors and hard-working Canadians. Will the Minister of Finance continue his attack on seniors, teachers and other Canadians saving for retirement? Or will he tell us specifically on what day he will announce his decision on income trusts?

Income Trusts  It is sad and disturbing. First his government steals millions of tax dollars from these hard-working Canadians to fund Liberal election campaigns and now he slashes their savings by irresponsible action against their savings in income trusts. That is the truth. Canadian seniors know they can never trust this government again.

Excise Tax Act  Speaker, I am proud today to introduce a bill that would correct the injustice of charging consumers too much for fuel by removing the GST being charged on the federal excise tax and provincial excise taxes across the country and to put that money back in the pockets of hard-working Canadians. (Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)

Supply  The CAIS program is unworkable and farm incomes continue to fall. Rural communities are suffering massive out-flux and these hard-working Canadians are being told they do not count in the Liberal world. That is why opening up access to information laws to all government departments, agencies and crown corporations is so important.

Energy Costs Assistance Measures Act  Those on a Canada pension plan disability do not qualify automatically. These are people who are hard-working Canadians who now find themselves in need of extra assistance. They too will not get any help under this plan. There are many other Canadians who will not get help either. They include those with a high dependency on fuel to do their jobs and run their businesses.

Unanticipated Surpluses Act  The government should be defeated because the only way to clean house is to get rid of the present government and put someone in there who will reorder the priorities, get back in touch with the common people, and spend the money where it should be spent, which is on the ground for hard working Canadians as opposed to fat cat executives.

Criminal Code  It believes it is entitled to a level of spending, a level of lavish living that just does not exist in the real world of hard-working Canadians. One of the most recent examples of this is the use of the Challenger jets as flying limos, as party taxis, as a way of not having to sit with the regular folk. It is reported to cost $11,000 per hour to fuel, operate and staff one of these jets.